Itinerary

1. Day1: Moshi - Machame Gate - Machame Camp

   • You will begin your drive from Moshi to Machame gate; the drive will only take about 50 minutes. The journey will take you through the beautiful village of Machame located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
   • After arrival at the gate, you will proceed to the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. The path might be muddy and slippery, so it is advised that you use gaiters and trekking poles.

   Distance covered: 10.6 km

   Hiking time: 6 hours

   Meals: Lunch and Dinner

   Elevation: 5,380ft -9,350ft

2. Day 2: Machame Camp - Shira Camp

   • Depart from glades of rain forest and proceed on an ascending path, crossing the little valley trekking along a steep rocky ridge, covered with heather till the ridge ends. The route will now diverge to the west onto a river gorge. 

   You will have your dinner and overnight rest at Shira campsite.

   Elevation (ft): 9,400ft to 12,500ft

   Distance Covered: 5.4km

   Time to be used: 4-6 hours

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

3. Day 3: Shira Camp - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

   • After breakfast, we will leave the Shira plateau and proceeding eastwards up a ridge, passing the intersection towards the peak of Kibo. As we keep moving, our direction changes to the southeast towards Lava Tower. 
   • Immediately after the tower, we reach the second intersection, which leads us to the arrow glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. We then head down the Barranco hut at an altitude of 13,000ft. 
   • We will retire here and spend overnight. The day ends at almost the same elevation as when we started, which is best for acclimatisation.

   Elevation (ft): 12,500ft to 13,000ft

   Distance Covered: 10.8km

   Time to be used: 8 - 10hrs

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

4. Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

   • We start this day by descending to the base of the intimidating Barranco wall. 
   • Afterwards we hike the non – technical yet steep cliff. From the top of Barranco, we go across a sequence of hills and valleys until we descend into Karanga Valley. The day is short of improving acclimatisation.

   Elevation: 13,044ft – 13, 106ft

   Distance: 5km

   Hiking time: 4 -5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

5. Day 5: Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

   • We depart from Karanga and reach the intersection which connects with the Mweka Trail. 
   • We then proceed to the Barafu hut. This will be the completion of the southern route, which offers a spectacular view of the summit from different angles.  
   • Here we will rest and enjoy a tasty early dinner as we prepare for the summit on the next day. The two peaks of Kibo and mawenzi are clearly visible here.

   Elevation: 13,106ft -15,331ft

   Distance: 4km

   Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours

   Habitat: alpine desert

6. Day 6: Barafu Camp (15,331ft) - Uhuru Peak (19,341ft) - Mweka Camp (10,065ft)

   • On this day, we will push our way to the summit; our trek will begin around midnight. This can be a bit more physically and mentally challenging compared to the other parts of the hike.
   • After reaching Stella Point (18,600ft), we will take a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, snow may be encountered all the way on our 1-hour ascent to the summit. Your time at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, will be brief. Take as many pictures as you want, enjoy your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point.
   • From the summit, we will immediately start our descent straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest, and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. 
   • We will later enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and take a well-earned rest.

   Distance: 5 km

   Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

   Habitat: Arctic

7. Day 7: Mweka Camp (10,065ft) - Moshi

   • Following a well-earned breakfast, we will celebrate with the team and afterwards have a three-hour walk to the Mweka gate. 
   • Upon arrival at the gate, you will receive your gold certificate for reaching the summit.
   • After that, head to mweka village where we will meet our driver who will take you back to your hotel for a long rest.

   Distance Covered: 9.1km

   Time to be used: 3hrs